[Table/Fig-1]:

Details of groups at trial entry

Misconception	No. of participants (n 406)
Diabetes can be cured by herbal treatment	189 (46.6)
Bitter foods reduce elevated blood sugar level	189 (46.6)
Prolonged use of oral hypoglycaemic drugs and insulin can lead to serious side effects	148 (36.5)
Lifestyle measures have no role in diabetes management	144 (35.5)
Insulin can cure diabetes	136 (33.5)
If you are taking medications you can eat anything you want	126 (31.0)
Treatment should be stopped if Diabetes is controlled for few months	111 (27.3)
Soaking feet in water reduces elevated blood sugar level	110 (27.1)
All carbohydrates should be removed from the diet of a diabetic patient	106 (26.1)
Artificial sweeteners are carcinogenic in humans	87 (21.4)
Diet has no role in diabetes treatment	86 (21.2)